According to Childrens, Inc, Kentucky has over 100,000 children under the age of eighteen (18) living with their grandparents or other relatives.  As one of the highest rates of children in care of grandparents and other relatives over 85,000 live with their grandparents, while 21,000 live with other relatives. Kentucky continually ranks as one of the highest states of children living with grandparents or loved ones. 

In 2019, GrandLove a grandparent raising grandchildren support group formed in Gallatin County.  The GrandLove mission is to identify families who are raising children other than their own and offer support by providing resources developed through partnerships with concerned community members. GrandLove meets monthly during the lunch hour and provides grandparents or loved ones raising children other than their own children, the opportunity to connect to others in similar situations, learn about local resources, and parenting tips.  

Topics and speakers from the previous year include legal advice, self-care, parenting, nutrition and health education, family game night, insurance questions, and local community resources. Unfortunately, due to COVID 19 restrictions the group only has meet in person two times this fall school year.  We had a picnic with grandparents and grandchildren at the waterfront park.   The 4-H Extension Agent and ANR Extension agent led craft and fishing activities with the youth.